Tag: Sports Radio Service

A’s Fall in First Game of Three Game Series With Atlanta 4-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears delivers against the Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the first inning at Truist Park in Cobb County on Fri May 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Atlanta Braves (32-23) pitcher Reynaldo Lopez proved to be too hot to handle for the Oakland A’s (23-36) on Friday night at Truist Park in Cobb County. He struck out eight A’s which was his season high. The Oakland A’s had six hits in the game but once again failed to score until the fourth inning. The Braves scored in both the first and second innings as Oakland found themselves behind the eight ball, a place they have been in for much of the season.

Game recap: The Braves wasted no time taking control of this game from the start scoring in both the first and the second innings. Matt Olson sacrificed and Austin Riley scored for the first run of the game for Atlanta. The Braves went on to score twice in the second inning. Jarred Kelenic doubled Sean Murphy and Michael Harris II home for an early 3-0 lead.

Oakland got on the board in the fourth inning 3-1 when Zach Gelof sacrificed Miguel Andujar home. The Braves had scored a single run in the sixth inning when Orlando Arcia sacrificed Matt Olsen home for their fourth run of the game.

Oakland had JJ Bleday and Brent Rooker on base in the eighth inning leaving them both standed. The A’s would not score again until the ninth inning. Zach Gelof crossed home plate for Oakland’s final run the score 4-2 in the ninth inning in favor of the Braves.

JP Sears went seven innings allowing six hits, four earned runs, two walks with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Brady Basso who pitched a single inning allowing no hits, no runs with one strikeout.

Game notes: The A’s rolled into Atlanta after a most frustrating series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The A’s had won the first game of the Rays series and dropped a couple of one run games one of which went 12 innings. The Braves have been playing solid ball sitting in second place behind the Phillies in the National League East. This game was a real challenge for Oakland.

JP Sears took the mound for Oakland and struggled in the first two innings giving up a run in the first inning and two runs in the second inning. Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched six innings gave up four hits and one earned run and struck out eight batters .

The A’s have this weekend to try and come away with some success in this series. On the mound for Oakland will be Aaron Brooks with a 0-2, 3.63 ERA. The Braves will feature Chris Sale on the hill with an 8-1 win/loss record and a 2.12 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

Aces Drop Second Game of the Season to Atlanta Dream 78-74

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Las Vegas Aces battled but couldn’t get by the Atlanta Dream losing by four points at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta on Fri May 31, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces X photo)

By Barbara Mason

After a terribly slow start, the Las Vegas Aces (4-1) paid the price losing to the Atlanta Dream (3-2) 78-74. They now have a 4-2 record. A’ja Wilson had the team high with 28 points and nine rebounds.

Game recap: The first quarter was a low-scoring affair. Las Vegas led after the first 12 minutes 11-10. Between the two teams there were 26 failed shot attempts; a slow start for both of them. Each team played with more energy in the second quarter after a rather stagnant start. The Aces won the second quarter 23-18 and led at the half 34-28. A’ja Wilson finished the half with 12 points and five rebounds while Jackie Young had 10 points and also had five rebounds.

The third quarter got underway as the Aces took the court in the second half where they have been most lethal not only this season but also in previous seasons. The Dream put up a real fight, however, in the third quarter winning it by the score of 25-19 and after three quarters this game was tied at 53. Atlanta was outscoring the Aces from downtown 46% to 26% through three quarters. The Aces would have to dig deep to get past Atlanta in this game.

The Dream kept pace with the Aces to start the fourth quarter. Las Vegas kept a slim lead as the fourth quarter played on as the Dream continued to keep the pressure on the Aces. With 5:39 left in the game Atlanta had taken a 65-62 lead as the Dream continued to drain three’s.

With 1:02 left on the clock Atlanta had a 73-70 lead and Las Vegas had met their match. Time was running out for Las Vegas trailing 74-70 with 26 ticks left on the clock. The Aces just could not overcome the slow start coupled with trouble from long dropping this game 78-74.

The Dream also had won the fourth quarter 25-21 and it was Atlanta that proved to be lethal in the second half of this game. This may well be a tough road for the Aces. Every team in the league is gunning for Las Vegas adding another element of pressure.

A’ja Wilson had a terrific game finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young each had double digits but it was just not enough to get past Atlanta.

Game notes: Friday evening the Aces traveled to Atlanta to take on the Dream. After their only loss this season, Las Vegas seems to be getting on track in their quest for a three-peat. There is still no definite timeline for the return of Chelsea Gray. She has maintained that she will not be sitting out the entire 2024 season.

The Aces were without Kiersten Bell who like Gray is also in a walking boot due to a right leg injury. Las Vegas without these two key players will be leaning on A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum to extend their winning streak. Head coach Becky Hammon remains confident that the team has enough to clock another road win but against the Dream they fell short by four points and lost their second game of the season.

Las Vegas will not take the court again until June 5th next Wednesday as they travel to Dallas to take on the Wings. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s need to start moving runners in scoring position are now 2-17

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers is congratulated by Miguel Andujar at the plate after hitting a top third inning two run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Thu May 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Tampa Bay Rays Jose Siri tied it with a ninth inning with a home run Richie Palacios got an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Rays won it on a one run game 6-5 on Thursday.

#2 The loss was the A’s third in their last four games. Reliever Mason Miller made an appearance but was charged with his first blown save in 12 relief outings, pitching two plus innings, giving up one hit and one earned run, three walks and four strikeouts.

#3 A’s manager Mark Kotsay said with Miller on the mound he’s very confident he can get the job done. Ultimately Miller was going to run into a game like this.

#4 The A’s are not getting any scoring with running in scoring position going 2-17. If the A’s were to capitalize with runners in scoring position they might have scratched a few of those losses.

#5 The A’s continue this road trip to Cobb County to take on the Braves at Truist Park starting Friday night. The Braves are a tough customer having won five of their last ten games. The Braves are second place in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies by six games. Starting pitcher for the A’s JP Sears (4-3, ERA 3.88) for the Atlanta Braves Reynaldo Perez (2-2, ERA 1.75) with a first pitch at 4:10pm PT. Jeremiah break it down how do you see this series coming up.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Oakland A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s brass with very little communications on relocation moves

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Convention And Authority president Steven Hill says the Oakland A’s brass has been communicating less then the Raiders did because when the Raiders came to Vegas it was something new. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland A’s brass has had very little communications with it front office personnel as to how the move to Sacramento will all take place. Who will not be going to Sacramento and who will be going. A’s employees have not been informed and have no clue what owner John Fisher and team president David Kaval have planned for 2025?

#2 The same can be said for the Las Vegas Convention And Authority president Steven Hill who assured the Las Vegas Review Journal that the A’s are coming and the A’s can finance the stadium. But that drum beat has been going on since the MLB owners approved by a majority vote to move the A’s to Las Vegas but still no explanation on how Fisher plans to come up with his share of the construction costs to the tune of $500 million.

#3 Hill said that there wasn’t as many meetings between the LVCVA and the A’s like there were with the Las Vegas Raiders because this was all new during the Raiders move to Allegiant Stadium. It still doesn’t add up why the A’s won’t communicate and if they do very little. Knowing how the A’s have operated in the past on the following season’s communications they will let you know usually after Christmas.

#4 The local paper Review Journal is having a hard time getting any kind of quote from Fisher or Kaval regarding the ballpark construction payments. The sentiment because the Review Journal has been all in in support for the A’s move to Vegas but the Journal is having a tough time just getting a quote from the A’s.

#5 Daniel a septic tank was found at the entrance of the demoed part of the building at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Where a cherry picker partially tipped over into the underground septic tank. A fine way to get the demo started?

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#4

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024The Final Season at the Oakland Coliseum -(Part II)

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) and New York Yankees pitcher Jim Catfish Hunter in 1975 at the Oakland Coliseum (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024

The Final Season at the Oakland Coliseum -(Part II)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

One of the many great moments in the history of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum happened in 1975 when ex-A’s Hall of Fame pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter visited the Coliseum, this time wearing his New York Yankee uniform.

A year before this visit, he traded his bright yellow A’s uniform for Yankee pinstripes after a dispute over a technicality in his contract with A’s owner Charles O. Finley. His last year with the Oakland A’s (1974), Hunter ended with a record of 25-12 and a 2.49 earned run average, starting 41 games and winning the American League Cy Young Award.

Then Hunter signed a five-year contract estimated at $3.75 million, ending American sports history’s most celebrated bidding war. The total value of the pact sets a record for baseball. January 1, 1975. At the end of that 1975 season, Jim “Catfish” Hunter had a record of 23-14 with a 2.58 earned run average in 30 starts. Jim “Catfish” Hunter owns the All-Time pitching record in wins at the Oakland Coliseum (including with A’s and visiting team) a total of 80 games won at the Coliseum.

In 1987 and with the Oakland A’s uniform, Jim “Catfish”Hunter was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Jim “Catfish”Hunter pitched from 1965 to 1979 (15 years) with Kansas City and Oakland A’s then with the New York Yankees.

Hunter’s Record: 224-166, 3.26 earned run average, 181 complete games over 3,449 1/3 innings pitched. PERFECTO: On May 8, 1968, Jim “Catfish” Hunter of the Oakland Athletics pitched the ninth perfect game in Major League Baseball history, defeating the Minnesota Twins …

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden Gate Fields is closing for good podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Race track shutting down June 9th

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A look at Golden Gate Fields which opened in 1941 and will close Jun 9, 2024 an East Bay race track and part of the sport’s tradition for decades (file photo San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Golden Gate Fields is closing for good podcast with Augie:

#1 Time has come to it’s end for Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley as the horse track will see it’s last race on June 9th. Attendance has been sparse averaging 2,000 a race at a track that seats over 20,000. What would you say is one of the big reasons for the track’s closing?

#2 The fans who showed up at the track some continued wearing Derby attire where women dressed in summer gowns and fancy hats and the men with their straw hats. That tradition amongst racing fans will be a thing of the past after the 9th of June.

#3 Golden Gate Fields is a part of a long gone history built in 1941 and built at a time when baseball and horse racing were the top sports in America.

#4 The saddest part of the closing of Golden Gate Fields is the employees who will lose their jobs, 500 track workers, jockeys, hotwalkers, exercise riders, grooms, stall muckers, valets, trainer, clerks, security, concession and engineers now all looking for work elsewhere. Some of the track workers might get work someplace like Santa Anita.

#5 Golden Fields was a East Bay institution and now it will be part of history just like the Oakland A’s will be when they leave the East Bay after this season.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI News Radio Honolulu

A’s Lose In 12th Inning to Tampa Bay 6-5 In Another Walk-Off; Oakland’s 3rd loss in last 4 games

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof put the tag out on the Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena on a pick off move in the bottom of the fifth inning at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Thu May 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (23-35) suffered their second walk-off loss in a row 6-5 against the Tampa Bay Rays (28-29) Thursday in game three of their series. Oakland had multiple opportunities to save this game, the most glaring a bases loaded situation in the tenth inning with no outs. Mason Miller suffered his first blown save of the season.

Game recap: The Rays got a quick start scoring three runs in the opening innings. It was a rough start for Hogan Harris giving up two home runs. Tampa Bay’s Isaac Paredes hit a two-run homer in the first inning for a 2-0 Rays lead. Tampa Bay would hit a second home run, a solo shot, in the second inning and Jose SIri had given the Rays a 3-0 lead.

Oakland went into the third inning with some work to do. Brent Rooker got the inning started with a double and Abraham Toro scored on an error for their first run of the game. Miguel Andujar singled continuing on a great run bringing Brent Rooker home and the A’s now trailed by a single run.3-2. Oakland was not finished; they would take the lead after trailing 3-0. Shea Langeliers homered for a two-run shot and Oakland had taken a 4-3 lead.

Oakland hung onto the slim lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Mason Miller came onboard in the ninth inning looking to close this one out. Miller faced Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario striking both of them out.

This guy has been brilliant all season finishing off games in high style crushing teams. They say all good things must end and Miller suffered his first hiccup of the season. Jose Siri connected for his second home run of the game tying this one up 4-4. Miller went on to strike the side out and this game went into extra innings.

The A’s took the lead back in the tenth inning. Abraham Toro singled in the tenth driving Max Schuemann home for a 5-4 lead. Toro leads the league with the most multi-hit games this month with 14 really coming through for Oakland in the month of May.

The A’s had a great opportunity to score more runs with the bases loaded and no outs but Andjuar grounded into a double play and Langeliers struck out. The failure to score more runs in this inning would come back to haunt Oakland.

The Rays tied this game back up in the tenth inning 5-5 and it was on to the eleventh inning in this marathon. A Randy Arozarena sacrifice fly brought Jose Caballero home leveling this game. Neither team scored in the eleventh inning.

Tampa Bay closed this game out in the 12th inning winning the game 6-5. Palacios singled Caballero home and the Rays had their second walk-off win in a row having won their first yesterday 4-3.

Game notes: Thursday the A’s and the Rays met in the rubber match of their three game series. The A’s made it contest but just couldn’t score in extra innings. Hogan Harris who started this game for Oakland went 5.2 innings allowing 4 hits, one run, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. Tampa Bay starter Shawn Armstrong went two innings, two hits and one strikeout.

Reliever Mason Miller pitched two innings the ninth and 10th before being relieved by Tyler Ferguson in the 11th inning. This was Miller’s first blown save of the season. He went two innings allowing one hit, one run with four strikeouts.

There will not be a lot of time to reflect on these two tough losses. The team is on their way to Atlanta for a three game series with the Braves. JP Sears will take the mound for Oakland with a 4-3 Win/Loss record and a 3.88 ERA. Reynaldo Lopez will be on the hill for the Braves with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 1.75 ERA. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 4:20 PM.

Negro League records integrated with MLB podcast with Bruce Magowan: Josh Gibson moves into No. 1 spot in key records

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Homestead Gray and Negro Leagues superstar Josh Gibson. Gibson played in the Negro Leagues from 1930-1946 (photo from Sean Gibson)

Negro League records integrated with MLB podcast with Bruce Magowan:

#1 Bruce, Josh Gibson’s home run record is listed as somewhere between 150-200 but it is believed that Gibson hit up to 800-1000 home runs but there no records kept at the time to substantiate it.

#2 Bruce one of the greatest hitters of all time is now listed as Major League Baseball’s all time career leader with a lifetime average of .372 Gibson now moves ahead of Ty Cobb who formerly led with .367.

#3 Also Gibson over takes New York Yankees Babe Ruth in slugging percentage at .718 and an OPS 1.177 and passes Babe Ruth at .690 and 1.164.

#4 Some of Gibson’s home runs were hit unofficial games but it’s estimated that he hit a home run per every 16 at bats.

#5 Gibson also played in the Negro Leagues East-West All Star game 12 times. He played in two All Star games in three different years in 1939 at Comiskey Park and Yankees Stadium, in 1942 Yankee Stadium and Griffith Stadium and in 1946 at Griffith Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

Bruce Magowan is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and a former sports anchor at 740 KCBS

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants open 3 game series with Yankees Friday; SF wins 3 game set from Phils

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos clubs his 7th home run of the season a two run blast in the top of the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu May 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber connected for home runs against the San Francisco Giants in a 6-1 win at Oracle Park in Thursday afternoon. Those are two hitters you have to pitch very carefully to as the Giants found out.

#2 Things got a little testy in the top of the fourth inning when the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper got out of the way of a second inside pitch that was around the head area by Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison. The first pitch by Harrison to Harper was an inside pitch that was a fast ball. After the second pitch offering both benches emptied and there was a lot of milling around the infield but no punches thrown. No ejections but warnings to both benches were issued.

#3 Castellano was having himself an afternoon against the Giants adding a double and a single. Kyle Schwarber’s home run was his 11th of the season.

#4 Giants starter Kyle Harrison started and pitched five innings, gave up 12 hits and four runs and five strike outs. Do you think that Harrison might have thrown at Harper out of frustration that Harrison was getting hit pretty good?

#5 Up next for the Giants they’ll host the New York Yankees opening up the series on Friday night. No starting pitcher has been announced as of yet by manager Aaron Boone. The Giants will start RHP Jordan Hicks (4-1 ERA 2.33) How do you see this match up and this series?

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Win Fourth Game of the Season Beating Minnesota 80-66

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum scored 19 points and for Kelsey Plum had 10 points in their win over the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Wed May 29, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces X photos)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (4-1) continued their march toward a third championship Wednesday night led by A’ja Wilson as they took on the Minnesota Lynx (4-2) in Minnesota. They dominated the Lynx winning the game 80-66. The incomparable Wilson finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds . Jackie Young chipped in 19 points and 10 assists cruising to their fourth win of the season.

Wednesday night, the Aces traveled to Minnesota to take on the Lynx at Target Center. The Aces go around with a bullseye dead center on their backs these days. Every team out there is looking to unseat the two-time defending champs.

Teams may be trying to unseat the champs but trying and achieving are two completely different things. These ladies are tough as nails and other than the one loss this season they have been unstoppable and they are still looking forward to the return of Chelsea Gray which will make them even tougher. Aces management is in no hurry to bring Gray back. They are exercising extreme caution in her return as she continues to rehab.

Las Vegas won the opening quarter 18-16 in a close game but extended their lead by the half. They won the second quarter 25-18 and led going into the locker room 43-34. They would take the nine-point lead into the third quarter.

The Lynx were able to win the third quarter 22-19 but fell short in the fourth quarter. Time and time again the Aces have shut down teams in the fourth quarter and this game was no exception. They went on a 20-5 run in the second half which spelled the difference in this game. Las Vegas won the fourth quarter 18-10 finishing off Minnesota.

A’ja Wilson finished this game in style with 29 points, and 15 rebounds. This was Wilson’s fifth straight game with 20 or more points and at least 10 rebounds. Jackie Young also had an amazing game finishing with 19 points and 10 assists. Kelsey Plum chipped in 10 points and sixth assists.

Napheesa Collier shot the high for Minnesota with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Aces will not take the court until Friday night when they take on the Dream in Atlanta. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:30 PM. Las Vegas will be looking for their fifth win of the season in their quest for a third title.